Rotary gas engine



- Aug. 21, 1928.

ddiv 1 W Q; Inventor I Q George "B Abe? Aug. 21, 192s; 1,681,454

4 G. B. ABER ROTARY GAS ENGINE Filed Sept. 14, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 W George B .Aber

Attorney Aug. '21, 1928. 1,681,454 G. B. ABER Aug.21.1 928.

- G. BgABER ROTARY GAS ENGINE Filed Sept. 14, 1927 6 sbjee fcs-sheet f Q Q w 0 O 0 w 5 l Q w Q :Q\.

R N Q bu Patented A ug 21, 1925. v

UNITED STATES PATENTQEFICE.

GEORGE BURTON ABER; or CRANBERRY LAKE, NEW -roax.

ROTARY GAS ENG-IIZITIE.

Application filed September 14, 1927. Serial no. 219,459.

lhe present invention relatesto certain new and 'useful improvements in a rotary gas engine of the internalcombustion type and has for its prime object the provision of an engine in which the rotor and cylinders serve as the balance -wheel. for the engine as they rotate together Within a stationary cas- Another very-important object of the invention resides inthe provision of a simple and eflicientform of internal combustion engine of the character stated in which the crank case and cylinders rotate as a unit within a stationary casing and around a crank shaft in the opposite direction from the crank shaft and'at a different rate of speed from "the latterduringthe operation of the engine.

A' still further important object of the invention resides in the provision of a rotary gas engine of this nature :in which the crank casing'and cylinders rotate in bearings on head plates which are fastened to a stationary casing, the crank case rotating in hearings on head plates which-are connected to the crankcasing.

Another very important object of the inv'enti'on resides in the provision of a rotary V gas-engine of the character set forth in which. I the fuel gas is admitted to the crank case by means ofonehollow endof the crank shaft and then to the cylinders from the crank case exhausting from the cylinders into 'an exhaust chamber.

A still further important object ofthe invention resides, in. the provision ofa'fa'nbn the crank shaft rotatable inthe exhaust chamber for exhausting the burnt gases to the atmosphere. n

A further important ob3ect of the inventiou resides in the provision of a rotary gas engine (if the character stated in which the gearing that controls the revolving cylinders and crank shaft is situated within a gear chamberin which the gearing runs in oil.

Another important object of the invention resides in the provision of a rotary gas .en-

gine of the character set forth in which the stationary casingis provided with a plurality of openings to provide for free circulation of air around the crank case and cylinders to maintain the engine in a cool condition during operation, each of the cylinders carry,- ing a spark plugfor engagement with contact plates of a sparking mechanism carried in the openings of the casing.

Another very important object of the in A vention resides in the provision of-an improved and simplified form of a rotary gas engine of the character. set forth in which the sparking mechanism includes adjustable contact members whereby the firing of the combustible gases within the several cylinders may be advanced or retarded as desired.

A still further and equally important ob joct of the invention resides in the provision of a rotary gas engine of this type wherein;

theparts are compactly and conveniently ar-' vention showing portions of the casing structure broken away to illustrate the gearing,

Figure 2 is a side elevation ofthe engine, I

. Figure 3 is another endel-evation of the engine opposite to that shown in Figure '1 and having the head plate removed,

, Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal section taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is an end elevation with the head plate. and timing ll'lOCllilTllSrn removed,

Figure 6 is a vertical transverse section taken substantially on the line 6-6 of'Figure 2, c

Figure 7 is a detail top plan view of the timer with the cover plate removed.

Referring to the drawings in detail, itwill beseen that the engineincludes a stationary casing lO'having a removable head 11 at one end and a removable head 12 at theother end. The heads 11 and 12 have central hearings 13 and 14 in which a crank casing 15 and cylinder blocks 16 are rotatably mounted by means of hollow axles 17 and 18. These axles 17 and 18 are mounted on removable heads 19 and '20 of the crank case 15. A crank shaft 22 rotates in the hollow -axles 17 and 18 in the opposite direction from the crank case 15 and the cylinderslti. In Figures 2 and 6 it will benoted thatthe stationary casing 10 has a plurality of slots 23 to provide for a free circulation of air to maintain the engine a use 1,681, i5

in a cooled condition while in operation. It pair of flanges 24 extend radially in opposite directions from the casing to provide for firm mounting ot the casing 10 on a suitable supporting structure. in Figures 2 and (3 it will be seenthat contact plates 25 are carried on the inner faces of insulated blocks 26. These blocks 26 are secured in the elongated openings or slots 23 in the casing 10. Binding posts 27 extend through the insulated blocks 96 and are connected-with the contact plates 25. The head 11 of the casing 10 has an outwardly extending hub 28. A shaft is provided with a beveled gear 29 thereon.

This shaft 30 is journalcd atits lower end in the hub 28 as at 81.. A second beveled gear 32 is carried on the axle l8 at 83. lJQ-SOCH that when the crank case 15 and the cylinders 16 rotate, rotaryanotion will be imparted by the two bevel gears 32 and 29 .to the shaft 30. i-L timing device 3st is firmly mounted on the casing 10 by means of a bracket 35 which attached to said casing as at 86. it 37 there are provided binding posts which are insulated and mounted on'the timer 34; and are connected to a steel plate 258 as at 39 through four projecting arms which are keyed and mounted on the end of the shaft 30.

At 40 there are steel rollers which are attached to the projecting arms The rollers 40 are jonrnaled in the ends of arms 39 which are rockable as at 41 on the arms 39 and springs 42 are engaged with the arms 39 to extend the rollers outwardly into engagement into the interior ot the timer casing and the contacts 38. The timer 34- may be readily adjusted by movingthe handle oil to the right or left. The object. of adjusting the timer 34 is to advance or retard the firing oi the charges within the engine cylinders during the operation of the engine as may be found desirable or necessary from time to time.

On the head 12 of the casing 10 there is mounted an exhaust chamber it A tan 4:) is rotatable in the exhaust" chamber at bein; fixed to the crank shaft 22. This exhaust chamber -14 is provided with a tangential dis charge spout at. A screen it? ismonnted in the outer end of the discharge spout -16 to exclude dust and foreign particles. This exhaust chamber it is provided with an annular flange 48 surrounding its open inner side through which securing bolts it?) extend to secure the exhaust chamber alt in position upon the casing head 12. This casing head 12 is provided with a plurality of elongated arcnate exhaust discharge ports 50 extending therethrough and opening into the exhaust chamber 44. The outwardly radiatingcylinders 16 are arranged in diametrically opposed pairs and the cylinders of each pair are offset as is apparent from an inspection of Figuresfl and' t. It will be seen that the pairs of cylinders are positioned in respect to each other at an angle ofQO degrees. These It will cylinders 16 have removable heads 51 provided on their outer ends and carrying appropriate spark plugs 52 which are adapted to electrically contact with the contact plate as they pass across the same during the operation 01' the engine and atwhich time the circuits are completed through the spark plugs :32 to cause ignition and tiring of the. com u'essed gases within the respective cylinders it is to be noted that these spark plugs do not actualh engage the contact plates but move a slight distance therefrom asthey move thcreacross. The pistons 53 operate within the several cylinders it; and are engaged with connectingrods 21 which are mounted in the usual manner on the crank portions of the crank shalt Q2 The inner ends of the cylinders 16 open into the crank case .15 and this crank case 15 serves as the fuel feed chamber for the several cylinders 16 the fuel being supplied through the hollow end 9 of the crank shalt which extends through the hollow axle lltland runs in an appropriate bearings l t and 13 in heads 11 and 12 of the outer stationary casing 10.

Each cylinder 16 has a fuel conducting tube. 5t formed on one side thereof and opening at one end into the crank casing 15 while its opposite end is turned to terminate at the intake port i-tn exhaust port 56 is also provided on the opposite side of each cylinder 16 to communicate with the interior of the primat-y exhaust chambe 57 provided between the cylinders 16 in an arrangement clearly illnstrated in Figure ft. The ends of the primary exhaustchambers 53? are turned so as to provide for proper connection of the removable exhaust chamber 57 with the exhaust sides of the engine cylinders 16. Each primary exhaust chamber 57 ha. a discharge pipe extending ,trom the side thereof in such a manner as to pass through the arcuate exhaust discharge ports fit) in the outer casing head 12 on each revolution of the crank shaft 1 and cylinders 1t within the stationary outer casing it) whereby the burnt gases will 2 exhausted into the main exhaust chamber ll; amlforccd out of the. same by the fan 15 by way of the tangential discharge spout it The inside ot the exhaust fiamber it has mounted therein a gear chamber i which is attached to the head 12 of the casing 10. The gear chamber ht] has a removable head 8 which is attached thereto as at 70. This Lltflll chamber (30 is in'orided with an annular flange ('11 surrounding its open inner side. and through which the securing bolts 62 are attached to secure the gear chamber in position upon the casing head 12. On thecranlt shaft; 22 inside oi the gear chamber there is rigidly mounted a gear it; which is keyed at (it to the crank shaft 22 and serves to drive imermediate gears 65 which are. carried on stub shafts tit; mounted on the cross member (37. The inter mediate gears 35 mesh with and drive the in- 1,es1,4se

ternal gear 68 which is mounted on a revolvspect to the speed of rotation of the crank' shaft 22. A three to one ratio is used. If the rotation of the cylinder 16' were .one hundred revolutions per minute, the rotation of the crank shaft-22 would be three hundred revolutions per minute.

It will be further seen that a pipe 72 is attached to the gear chamber 60 as at 73. The gears 63, and 68 run in oil being supplied to the gear chamber 60 through this pipe 721 At 7 4 there is attached a removable cap which is mou'nted on the-exhaust chamber 4 1 at 75. When the cap 74 is removed oil may be fed through the pipe 72 into the gear chamber 60. The four cylinders 16 and pistons 53 are at the oint of high compression as they pass across "the contact plates 25. The compressed gases are ignited and fired by the spark plugs 25 at which time the circuits are completed through the timing device 34 as the rollers 40 pass over the steel plates 38. As will be apparent from an inspection of Figure6, all four of the cylinders 16 fire simultaneously so that for each complete cycle, crank shaft 22 makes three fourths of a revolution and cylinders 16 make one-fourth of a revolution. This is, of course equivalent to a travel of one-fourth of the circumference of the casing for cylinders 16. In making one complete revolution around the circmnference of stationary casing 10, cylinder 16 will fire sixteen times and crank shaft 22 will make sixteen revolutions.

Particular attention is directed to the arrangement and construction of parts whereby the weight of the crank case and the pylinders do not rest upon the, crank shaft 22 but are swung on the head plates 11 and 12 of the easing 10 where they rotate in the bearings 13 and 14 so that the shaft 22 is free to perform its intended function.

It is thought that the construction, utility, operation, and advantages of the invention will now be quite apparent to those skilled in this art without a more detailed description thereof. The present embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in detail merely by way of example since in actual practice it attains the features of advantage enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention and the above description. It will be apparent thatchanges in the details of construction,

and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or-scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed or sacrificing any of its advantages.

.ture to the interior of I :IIavingthus described my invention, what I claim as new is v 1. In an internal combustion engine, a stationary casing, a crank case rotatably mounted in the casing, a plurality of cylinders radiating outwardly from the crank case, pistons in the cylinders, a'cra-nk shaft rotatable in the crank case, connecting rods between the pistons and the crank shaft, said casing having a plurality of elongated slots to afford circulat on of a1r 1n and out of the casmg, gearing operat-ively connecting the crank case with the crank shaft to set up rotation of the crank shaft in one direction upon rotation of the crank case in an-opposite direction, means for delivering a combustible mixturelto the interior of the crank case, said cylinder being formed with conduits leading from the interior of the .crank case, to the intermediate portions of the cylinders, exhaust reservoirs in the casing, conduits leading from the cylinders to the reservoirs, an exhaust chamber on the casing and formed with an outlet, said shaft extending into the chamber, a fan on the shaft in the chamber, conduits leading from the reservoirs to the chamber, said fan drawing the burnt gases from the cylinders through the first exhaust conduits, through the reservoirs, through the secondexhaust conduits into the chamber and exhausting the gases through the outlet, and ignition means associated with the cylinders.

2. In an internal combustion engine, a stationarycasing, a crank case rotatably mounted in the casing, a plurality of cylinders radiating outwardly from the crank case, PIS" tons in the cylinders, a crank shaft rotatable in the crank case, connecting rods between the pistons and the crank shaft, said casing having a plurality of elongated slots to afford circulation of air in and out of the casing, gearing operatively connecting the crank case with the crank shaft to set up rotation of the crank shaft in one direction upon ro tation of the crank case in an opposite direction, means for deliverin acombustible mixt he crank case. said cylinderbeing formed with conduits leading from the interior of the crankcase to the in termediate portions of the cylinders, exhaust reservoirs in the casing, conduits leading from the'cylinders to the reservoirs, an exhaust chamber on the casing, a tangential outlet spout leading from the chamber, said shaft extending into the chamber, a centrifugal fan on the shaft for drawing the burnt gases from the cylinders and exhausting the gases through the tangential outlet spout, and ignition means associated with the cylinders.

3. In an internal combustion engine. a stationary casing, a crank case rotatably mounted in the casing, a plurality of cylinlib ders radiating outwardly from the crank case, pistons in the cylinders, a c'ank shaft rotatable in the crank case, connecting rods between the pistons and the crank shaft, said casing having a plurality of elongated slots .to afford circulation of air in and out of the casing, gearing operativcly connecting the crank case with the crank shaft to set up rotation of the crank shaft in one direction upon rotation of the crank casein an opposite direction. means for delivering a combustible mixture to the interior of the crank case, said cylinder being formed with conduitsleading from the interior of the crank also to the intermediate portions of the cylinders, exhaust reservoirs in the casing, conduits leading from the cylii'ulcrs to the reser voirs, an exhaust chamber on the asing, a tangential outlet spout leading from the chamber, said shaft extending into the chamber, a centrifugal fan on the shaft for drawing the burnt gases from the cylinders and exhausting the gases through the tangential outlet spout. and ignition means associated with the cylinders, said casing having openings leading into the chamber so that the fan will also act to set up a coolingcirculation in the casin 1. In an internal combustion engine, a stationary casing, a crank case rotatably inounted in the casing. a plurality of cylinders radiating outwardly from the crank case. pistons in the cylinders, a crank shaft rotatable in the crank case, connecting rods between the" pistons and tl.c crank shaft. said casing having a plurality of elongated slots to afford circulation of air in and out of the casing. gearing opcratively connecting the crank case with the crank shaft to set up rotation of the crank shaft in one direction upon rotation of the crank case in an opposite direc tion, means for delivering a combustible mixture to the interior of the crankcase. said cylinder being formed with conduits leading from the interior of the crank use to the intermediate portions of the cylinders. ex' haust reservoirs in the casing, conduits leading from the cylinders to the reservoirs. an exhaust chamber on the casing and formed with an outlet, said shaft'cxtcnding into the chamber. a fan -on the shaft in the chamber, conduits leading from the reservoirs: to the chamber, said fan drawing the burnt gases from the cylinders through the first exhaust conduits, through the reservoirs, through the second exhaust conduits into the chamber and exhausting the gases through the outlet. and ignition means associated with the cylinders. said casing having openings leading into the chamber so that'the fan will also set up a cooling circulation in the casing.

5. In an internal combustion engine. a stationary casing, a crank case rotatably n IOllHled in the casing, a plurality of cylinders radiating outwardly from the crank case, pistons in the cylinders, a crank shaft rotatable in the casing and the crank case, connecting rods between the pistons and the shaft, means for delivering a combustible mixture to the interior of the crank case, said cylinder being formed with conduits leading from the interior of the crank case to the intermediate portions of the cylinders, exhaust reseryoirs in the casing,

conduits leading from the cylinders to the reservoirs, an exhaust chamber on the casing and formed with an outlet, said shaft extending into the chamber, a fan on the shaft in the chamber, conduits leading from the reservoir to the chamber, said fan drawing the burnt gases from the cylinders through the first. exhaust conduits, through the reservoirs, through the second exhaust conduits into the chamber and exhausting the gases through the outlet and ignition means associated with the cylinders.

b. In an internal combustion engine, a stationary casing,a crank. case rotatably mount ed in the casing. a plurality of cylinders radiating outwardly from the crank case, pistons in the cylinders, a crank shaft rotatable in the casing and the crank case, connecting rods between the pistons and the shaft, means for delivering a combustible mixture to the interior of the crank case, said cylinders being formed with conduits leading from the interior of the crank case to the intermediate portions of the cylinders, exhaust reservoirs in the casing, conduits leading from the cylinders to the reservoirs, an exhaust chamber on the casing, a tangential outlet pipe leading from the chamber, said shaft extending into the cham her, a centrifugal fan on the shaft for exhaust ing the gases through the tangential outlet pipe.

7. In an internal combustion engine, a stationary casing. a crank ca e rotatably mounted in the casing, a plurality of cylinders radiating outwardly from the crank case, pistons in the cylinders, a. crank shaft rotatable in the casing and the crank case, connecting rods between the pistons and the shaft, means for delivering a (Ullllilblllllt mixture to the i' t'.":ior of the crank case, said cylinders being formed with conduits leading from the interior of the crank case to the intermediate portions of the cylinders, exhaust r rvoirs in the casing, conduitsleading from the cylinders to the IOSOIYoilS, means for sucking exhaust gases from the reservoirs and ignition means associated with the cylinders. said casing having openings leading into the chamber so that the fan will also set up a cooling circulation in the casing.

S. In an internal comlaistion engine. a stationary casing. a crank case rotatably mounted in the casing. a plurality of cylinders radiating outwardly from the crank case, pistons in the cylinders, a crank shaft rotatable in the casing and the crank case, connecting rods between the pistons and the shaft, means for lea lit)

- .lformed" with "conduits'leading from the 1nto the intermediate f in the ccasing, ond'uitsleadingfrom the cyl o inders to the reservoirs, an exhaust chamber the shaft in 'thechambegcondnits leading from the reservoir ItoJt-he. chamber, said fan 1 v-drawni the burnt" gases irom' the cylinders thr ' associatedtvith the-cylinders, said-casing h'avingopenings leadin'ginto; thej'chamber soth at 'a' jcooling'circulation in and' 'ignition means associated with the cylh'aving openings leading into the chamberso thatthe fans Willalso;

I thefan-willal :thecasing. i

ongh the first exhaust conduits, through 11' reservoirs, through" the second-exhaust condui-tsfinto the chamber andexhausting the I gases through the, outlet. and ignition means so set.

9; In an'internal combu'stion 'engine, a stationary basing, afgcrank case having h olloW axlesjjonrlialedfin the casing a: crank "shaft 'eu mled int-he-holl'owaxles, one end ofthe I form a conduit fora combustible mixture into'the casing, said .cylwith conduits leadin'g frorn the interior ofJ-the crankcase to the in ctermediate portions of the cyli nde'rs, exhaust e rrd i ee-see s r 9 from the}; cylinders'l. to -the reservoirs, an; ex-

-;'haust chamberon the casing and formed with t', said sha'ft extending into the chamnon theshaft in the chamber-,'conleading fromthejreservoirs to the chamidif n drawing the burnt gases from yl intlers tofthefirst exhaust conduits,

throughfthe' 'reservoirs, throng-h the-second exhaust conduits, into 7 the chamber and exhausfting the gasejsjthroughthe outlet, and

ignitionmeans' forthe cylinders.

#10, In an internal combustion] engine, a stationary casing ,.-afcrank case having hollow axles journaled-in the casing, a crank shaft ljournale'd-in the hollow axles, onewcnd of the shaft bein hollow to 'formfa conduit-for a I combustib eni'ixture into-the casing, said cylin'd'ers'being'forrned with conduits'leading f from the interior o f-the crank case-tointermediate portions of the cylinders, exhaust g acombnstiblemixture to the interior-ofthe crank case,'said cylinder bei .iiroin the cylinders chambenja fan on 'tionary'casing, a crank casing conduits" leading second exhaust conduits, and exhaustlng the gases reservoirsgini the casing, conduits leading to; the reservolrs, an ex--' 3 hanstichamber on the ,casing, a tangential outlet pipe k leading from the chamber, said shaft extending into the chamber,""a ,centrifburnt gases from the chamber ugal fan-on saidshaft adapt-ed to exhaust 11, V In an in rn'al combustion engine, a stai v havlng hollow "axles Journaled in the casin'g,-.a crank shaft journalcd in'tl'ie' hollow axles, one end of the sli'aftf'b'eing hollow to form a conduit for a inders, being. formed [from 'theinterior of the crank ease to the interincdiate portionsof the cylinders, exhaust combustible mixture; into the casing, said cyl- V with conduits leadingreservoirs-in the casing, conduits leadingfrom the cylinders to-the reservoirs, means for sucking-exhaust gases from the reservoirs,

inders, said casing setup a cooling circulation in the casing.

12.- In an internal combustion engine, a

stationary casing, acrank case having hollow axles ournaled 1n the cas1ng,' a"crank leading from. thein'terior of the crank case to the intermediate portions of the cylinders,

exhaust reservoirs in the casing, conduits leading from the cylinders tothereservolrs,

an exhaust chamber on the casing and formed with an outlet, said shaft cxtendinginto the chamber, a fanpon" the shaft in the chamber, conduits leading from the reservoirs to th'e chamber, said fandrawing the burnt gases from thecyli nders to the first exhaust conduits, through the reservoirs, through the into the chamber through thefoutlet, and ignition means for the cylinders, said casing having openings leading into the chamber so that the fan will also set up a cooling circulation in the casing.

In testimony whereof I afli'x my signature.

GEORGE BURTON ABER. 

